Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

RIEGEL, J.
ALLEN

p. 958

Surnames: RIEGEL, BOHN, FRITZ, FULMER, LENGEL, VAN REED

J. Allen Riegel, a well-known citizen of Reading, who holds the
responsible position of chief clerk in the Reading post-office, was
born in 1846, in Bernville, Berks County, son of William B. and
Mary (Lengel) Riegel, and grandson of Jacob and Christiana (Bohn )
Riegel. Grandfather Jacob Riegel was a soldier of the war of
1812-1814.

William B. Riegel was born n his father’;s farm
near West Leesport, Pa. He learned the watchmaker’s trade with a
Mr. Gift, of Hamburg, and later went to Philadelphia and worked
under instruction. Returning to Leesport, he there continued until
1845, in which year he went to Bernville, were he engaged in the
watchmaking and jewelry business until 1860. During the war he was
engaged at the P.& R. shops, Reading, as a machinist, and
although he had never learned the trade was a considered a
first-class mechanic. After the war he resumed the trade of
watchmaker, in Reading, and this he continued until his death, Aug.
22, 1897, at the age of seventy-five years. He was one of the best
clock and watchmakers in the city, being especially expert at
repairing “grandfather” clocks, which he repaired for nearly all
the prominent families and banks in the city. He was the only
clockmaker in the city who practically made a new clock out of an
old one, manufacturing any part needed. He was a genius. He could
make almost anything out of iron, brass or wood; he made fishing
reels, fishing rods and fishing nets of all kinds and sizes, and
manufactured nearly all the tools he used in making clocks and
watches. He was a fisherman and a hunter, a good marksman, having
shot many deer, bears, wild turkeys and other game. He and his wife
had one child, J. Allen.

J. Allen Reigel was educated in the schools of
Bernville and also the old Reading Academy, after leaving which he
served his time to the watchmaking trade until the war broke out.
He enlisted in Company E, 46th Regt., Pennsylvania Volunteers, and
served his term of enlistment, being honorably discharged. On his
return to Reading he clerked in Col. John Fritz’s mercantile
establishment, and when in 1869 Col. Fritz was appointed
postmaster, he took young Riegel with him, recognizing the young
man’s ability. Forty consecutive years of public service have made
Mr. Riegel one of the best known men of Reading. Capably filling
every position given him, he has been steadily promoted, and since
1875 has been chief clerk.

In 1866 Mr. Riegel married Anna Fulmer, a native
of Van Reed, Berks County, and a foster daughter of Henry Z. and
Mary A. Van Reed, of the well known Van Reed Paper-mill near
Reading. Mr. and Mrs. Riegel have the Textile Machine Works;
William B., a druggist of Philadelphia, who has been a machinist
and professional bicycle rider; Charles H., also a druggist of
Philadelphia; Allen F., a jeweler and watchmaker of Reading; Mary
E., a teacher in the public schools and a graduate of the Girls’
High School, living at home and engaged in teaching; and Rosa E., a
foster daughter, who is a dressmaker. In religious belief the
family are members of the Reformed Church. Mr. Riegel is a member
of Emblematic Lodge, I. O. O. F., and McLean Post, G.A.R., in which
he has held positions.

RIEGNER
FAMILY

p. 825

Surnames: RIEGNER, MOHN, SCHNEIDER, BRUNNER, BARET, STETTLER,
WORMAN, GERBER, KNAUER, STAUFFER, BOWER, TROUT, WILLSON, HENDEL,
COULTER, WALTERS

One of the leading concerns of Reading is the firm of W. D. Mohn
& Co., machinists, tool-makers, steam and hot water fitters,
plumbers and dealers in plumbers’ supplies, in which Robert E. and
Austin H. Riegner are partners. They are members of the old and
honored family of Riegner, members of which have distinguished
themselves in every walk of life.

Conrad Riegner, their great-grandfather, was
born July 12, 1788, in New Hanover township, Montgomery Co., Pa.,
and died Feb. 15, 1847; he was buried at the historic Swamp Church.
Conrad Riegner spent his life in agricultural pursuits, owned
considerable property, and became a substantial and highly esteemed
citizen. He married Catherine Schneider, born May 9, 1786, died May
22, 1854, and to them were born the following children: Solomon,
who settled at Sanatogo and died in Pottstown, Pa.; Frederick, who
lived and died at Phoenixville, Pa.; Benjamin; Aaron, whose life
was spent at Chambersburg, Pa.; Mrs. Samuel Brunner, mother of Dr.
Franklin R. Brunner; Mrs. Isaac Baret; Hettie, who married Solomon
Stettler, of Topton, Pa.; and Reuben, who lived and died at
Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Riegner, grandfather of the Riegner
brothers, was born April 16, 1814, in New Hanover township,
Montgomery county, and on reaching his majority removed to
Boyertown, where he followed blacksmithing until a short time prior
to his death. Mr. Riegner was a captain in the State militia of
that section of Berks county for fourteen years, was a Democrat in
politics, and served as constable of the township for a number of
terms. He died May 22, 1869, in the faith of the Evangelical Church
and is buried at Boyertown. In 1836 Benjamin Riegner was married to
Catherine Worman, born Nov. 27, 1813, in Colebrookdale township,
daughter of Joseph Worman, a tanner of Bucks county, Pa. She died
June 22, 1871. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Riegner:
Lewis spent his life in Reading; Benneville located in Carlisle,
Pa.; Sarah died at the age of four years, two months, thirteen
days; Henry died aged nine months, twenty-one days; Elmira married
Joshua Gerber, and died in 1868, in her twenty-fifth year; Hiram W.
is mentioned below; Catherine married Josiah Knauer, of Chester
county, Pa.; Tamma married Rev. David S. Stauffer, the well-known
U. E. pastor, who is stationed at Adamstown, Pa.; Amanda married
Dr. D. B. Bower, of Boyertown, Pennsylvania.

Hiram W. Riegner was born at Boyertown, Berks
county, April 2, 1846, and his boyhood days were spent under the
parental roof. When eighteen years of age he went to learn the
tanner’s trade with Joseph trout, near the “Five Mile House” in
Cumru township, and this occupation he followed for fourteen years,
when he engaged in work at the Mohnton hat factory, remaining there
for seven years. Mr. Riegner then became employed with the T. A.
Willson Optical Company of Reading, for three years, when he
returned to the hatting business, which he has followed to the
present time, being now in the employ of the George Hendel firm at
Edison (now in the borough of Shillington). In political matters
Mr. Riegner is independent, voting rather for the man than the
party, and he and his family are consistent members of the Zion’s
United Evangelical Church of Mohnton, where he has been
class-leader of the English class for some time. He has been a
chorister of the church for the past quarter of a century, and
since 1882 has had charge of the primary department of the
Sunday-school.

In 1867 Mr. Riegner was united in marriage with
Miss Sevilla D. Mohn, born Nov. 16, 1845, daughter of Benjamin A.
Mohn, the founder of Mohnton. Two children were born to this union,
Robert E. and Austin H.

Robert E. Riegner was born March 17, 1868, at
Mohnton, Berks Co., Pa., attended the public schools of his native
locality, and at the age of fifteen years started to learn the
machinist’s trade, being employed for three years with T. A.
Willson & Co. He then went to Philadelphia, where he was
employed with the National Optical Company for three years, and
with the well-known firm of Queen & Co. for fourteen years,
having for a long period been in charge of the tool department. Mr.
Riegner then returned to his native borough, and in August, 1903,
was admitted a member of the firm of W. D. Mohn & Co., where he
has since been in charge of the plant as superintendent. He is a
skilled mechanic, and thoroughly capable of discharging the duties
of his position. The company has a large and constantly increasing
trade, particularly in job work and a few specialties of their own,
doing a great deal of business with the firm of Queen & Co. of
Philadelphia. The plant, located at Carpenter and Cherry streets,
is fitted with a sixty-horse-power boiler, and a thirty-horse-power
engine.

Mr. Riegner took a complete course in mechanical
drawing at the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, graduating
therefrom in 1892; he was a member of same during his residence in
Philadelphia.

On Feb. 8, 1893, Mr. Riegner was married to Miss
Frances Coulter, of Philadelphia, and one child has been born to
this union, Roscoe E., who is now attending high school. Mr.
Riegner built his present home at Mohnton in 1905. He is a
Republican in politics, and a member of the United Evangelical
Church, in which he is a teacher in the Sunday-school. He is a
charter member of Camp No. 211, P. O. S. of A., of Mohnton, and is
also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 8020.

Austin H. Reigner was born Oct. 4, 1872, in
Lewisburg, Union Co., Pa., and when three years of age came to
Mohnton, Berks county, with his parents.

He attended the public schools of Cumru
township, and night school in Philadelphia, and learned the
machinist’s trade with Orr & Sembower, of Reading, with whom he
remained three years. Mr. Riegner then went to Philadelphia, where
he was employed by the National Optical Company, and later went to
Toledo, Ohio, and Buffalo, N. Y., at which latter city he had
charge of the Oliver Dental Manufacturing Company for two years.
Mr. Riegner then located in Reading and engaged in the manufacture
of special machinery for two years on South Front street. In 1900
he engaged in business with Mr. W. D. Mohn, and in 1902 they
removed the plant to its present location, corner of Carpenter and
Cherry streets. Mr. Riegner is manager of the plant, and under his
able management the business of the firm has been carried on in a
very satisfactory manner.

In 1896 Mr. Riegner was married to Miss Estella
Walters, daughter of Adolph Walters, of Altoona, Pa., and three
children have been born to this union: Dallas W., Marco and Helen
L. In politics Mr. Riegner is a Republican. He is a member of
Zion’s United Evangelical Church, where he teaches a class of young
men in the Sunday-school. In 1899 Mr. Riegner was made a Mason in
Hiram Lodge, No. 105, of Buffalo, N. Y., was transferred to
Chandler Lodge, No. 227, of Reading, Pa., and is also a member of
Reading Lodge of Perfection.

In 1896 Mr. Riegner graduated at the Spring
Garden Institution of Science and Arts, in the electrical
department, at the head of his class, with an average of 100,
receiving a medal from ex-Governor Pattison at that school; he also
took a complete course in mechanical drawing at the Franklin
Institute, Philadelphia.

RIESER, WILLIAM S.

p. 857
Surnames: RIESER, STOUDT, YRICH, SCHLAPPICH, BUCKS, GERHART,
LEINBACH, HAHN, DIETRICH, BECKER, SPATZ

William S. Rieser, a highly respected citizen and retired farmer of
Bern township, was born in Bern township, Berks Co., Pa., Jan. 5,
1841, son of Daniel and Catherine (Stoudt) Rieser.

Johan Jacob Rieser, great-grandfather of William
S., was an early settler in this section.

Abraham Rieser, son of Johan Jacob, was born
Aug. 16, 1781, and died July 9, 1857, aged seventy-five years, ten
months and twenty-three days. He was married (first) Aug. 6, 1808,
to Sarah Yrich, born Aug. 20, 1784, who died Nov. 23, 1822. He
married (second) Anna Maria Yrich. His remains, as well as those of
his two wives, rest in the burial ground at Bern Church. Abraham
Rieser became a man of prominence in Bern township, where he
acquired 350 acres of valuable land. He built the first Rieser mill
in Bern township and operated it for many years. After retiring to
his farm he improved it greatly, erecting all the buildings on the
property now owned by his grandson, William S., and also all the
buildings on the farm which was long owned by Jacob Rieser, and
which is now owned by William Schlappich. The children of Abraham
Rieser and his wife were: Daniel; Jacob and Jonathan both died in
Bern township; Franklin, a physician residing in Reading, is the
only survivor of that generation of the family; Mary m. John Bucks;
Sarah m. Jacob Gerhart; and Hettie m. Washington Leinbach.

Daniel Rieser, father of William S., was born
Dec. 18, 1808, and died Jan. 5, 1888, aged seventy-nine years and
eighteen days. He was a well-known miller an a successful farmer.
He bought 130 acres of the homestead farm, selling five acres later
for a quarry. He owned also a farm of fifty-four acres on which he
built a house and barn, and a farm of 225 acres in Spring township.
He retired from active life a few years before his death. He was a
worthy member of Epler’s Reformed Church, in which he was an elder
for twelve years, and also served as a deacon, was a member of the
church building committee, and at all times was a liberal in the
cause of religion. He married Catherine Stoudt, daughter of Jacob
Stoudt. She was born June 28, 1811, and died March 28, 1896, aged
eighty-four years, nine months. They had two sons, William S. and
Cyrus S., the latter of whom died aged forty-one years. His
surviving children are: Pearson, George and Cora.

William S. Rieser attended the old subscription
schools in childhood and later the district schools. In 1865 he
began farming where he now resides, and continued until 1897, when
he retired from active work. The old buildings erected by his
grandfather still stand but he added to and remodeled them to suit
modern ways of living. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. He is a
member of Epler’s Reformed Church, and has been one of its elders
since 1901.

William S. Rieser married Elizabeth Hahn,
daughter of Daniel and Mary Hahn, and they have four children, as
follows: (1) Irvin, residing in Bern township, married Emma Bucks,
and has one child, Esther. (2) Jennie m. William Dietrich, residing
in Centre township, and they have children, Florence, Helen, Paul,
John, William, Carrie, Laura, Annie, Edna, and Wayne. (3) Edwin C.,
a stenographer and book-keeper, is a graduate of the Keystone State
Normal School, afterward taking a post-graduate course at Perkiomen
Seminary. While attending Pennsylvania State College he was a
member of the class of 1905. He m. Edna S. Becker. (4) Harry H.,
the farmer on the old homestead, m. Carrie Spatz and they have one
son, Arthur. They are all respected and representative people of
Bern township.

NOTE:

(Bonnie Blau): Other sources say that the
wife of Abraham Rieser (in paragraph 3) was Sarah YEICH.

RIGG, JOHN
A.

p. 801

Surnames: RIGG, STYER, SHENFELDER, BAUM, BROWN, HARNER, GEYER,
SHANER, YOHN, POSEN, AMMON, EVANS

John A. Rigg – identified with the street railways at Reading since
1874 – was born at Gibraltar, in Robeson township, Berks county,
Feb. 14, 1854. During his infancy his parents removed to the farm
of his grandfather, Adam Styer, in Caernarvon township, Lancaster
county, midway between Churchtown and Morgantown, which he
purchased in 1896, and where he has since made his summer home. He
was educated in the local schools and worked on the farm until he
was fifteen years old, when he went to Reading and found employment
in the pottery of Daniel Shenfelder. He worked in this pottery for
three years, and afterward in the Keystone Rolling Mill, McIlvain’s
Rolling Mill and Deysher’s Lumber Yard for two years, when he
directed his attention to service on the street railways. This was
in 1874, when the system was about being established in Reading. He
first became a conductor on what was then known as the Sixth street
line, but served as such for only several months when he was
appointed superintendent, and he filled this position during the
development of the system until 1891, when he became the
vice-president of the People’s Passenger Railway at Philadelphia.
He, however, remained at Philadelphia only two years, when he
returned to Reading to organize the Reading Traction Company,
establish a large electric light and power plant, and introduce the
use of electricity in the propulsion of cars. This company elected
him president and he served for five years, when he was again
called to Philadelphia, to take charge of the United Power &
Transportation Company, embracing numerous systems in Pennsylvania,
New Jersey and Delaware; and he has been at the head of the systems
until the present time, now covering a period of ten years, the
most important period in the development of the street railway
service in Pennsylvania. These systems have come to embrace upward
of seventy-five companies, incorporated with an aggregate
capitalization of $100,000,000; and he is at present either the
president or one of the directors in their management.

Mr. Rigg was elected by the voters of the Fourth
ward to represent them in select council from 1885 to 1894,
officiating as president of the body from 1887 to 1890. He assisted
in establishing the Free Public Library of Reading in 1898, serving
since then as one of the trustees. He was chiefly instrumental in
establishing Carsonia Park, three miles east of Reading, in 1892,
as a place of resort and amusement for the people.

In 1872 Mr. Rigg was married to Sarah Amanda
Baum (daughter of Augustus Baum and Elizabeth Brown, his wife, of
Reading), by whom he had three children: Dr. Walter A. Rigg (m.
Bessie Harner), Dr. Samuel Rigg (m. Mazie Geyer) and Dora (died in
infancy).

His father was Samuel Evans Rigg, born in
Caernarvon township, Lancaster county, in 1806; carried on
butchering for some years, and then farming; and died in 1870. He
was married twice, first to Ellen Shaner, by whom he had four
children, and after her decease to Catharine Styer (daughter of
Adam Styer and Elizabeth Yohn, his wife, of Caernarvon township),
by whom he had three children: Sarah Jane (m. Martin H. Posen),
Samuel E. (m. Ellen Ammon) and John A. (above).

His grandfather was George Rigg, Jr., who
married Eleanor Evans (daughter of Evan Evans, 1754-1792, son of
Evan Evans, 1717-1765, and grandson of Nathan Evans, 1682-1763, who
emigrated from Montgomeryshire, Wales, to Pennsylvania in 1700). He
was born in 1776.

His great-grandfather was George Rigg, who was
enlisted in the Revolution and died in 1776, while on his way home
from the expedition in Canada.

RIGG, SAMUEL
E.

p. 1322

Surnames: AMMON, RIGG, STYER

Samuel e. Rigg, deceased, who for many years was a faithful
employee of the United Traction Company of Reading, at the time of
his death holding the position of superintendent of that concern,
was born March 24, 1850, in Churchtown, Lancaster County, Pa., son
of Samuel and Catherine (Styer) Rigg.

Mr. Rigg received his education in the common
schools of Lancaster county, and when a young man engaged in farm
work, also carrying on agricultural pursuits on his own account.
After his marriage, Mr. Rigg removed to the city of Reading, soon
thereafter accepting the position of conductor with the United
Traction Co., gradually working his way upward, from position to
position, until finally appointed superintendent of the company’s
lines in Reading. He was in the employ of the company for
twenty-eight years, and was an honest, faithful workman. He was a
favorite with employers and employees, being kind and thoughtful
with his men, never forgetting that at one time he had held a
subordinate position. His death, which occurred Oct. 23, 1904, took
from the company one of its valued servants, and was a blow not
only to his immediate family and friends, but to the entire
community.

In 1872 Mr. Rigg was married to Ellen Ammon,
daughter of George Ammon, and she survives him and makes her home
in Reading. He had always been a Democrat in his political views,
but never aspired to public office. He was a valued member of the
Lutheran Church. Mr. Rigg was popular in fraternal circles, and a
well-known member of the I.O.O.F.

RINGLER,
LEWIS

p. 967

Surnames: RINGLER, SEIDERS, LERCH, SHARMAN, BECHTEL, PIKE,
ARMPRIESTER, BURNS, FISHER, HINSTED, PFAFF, GOOD, LEADER, LEBO,
HUFFERT, HILLER, MOYER

Lewis Ringler, a well-to-do business man and representative citizen
of Millmont, Cumru township, Berks county, was engaged in the
butchering business. He was born March 31, 1845, in Reading, Pa.,
son of Daniel and Mary (Seiders) Ringler.

Jacob Ringler, grandfather of Lewis, was born in
1799, and died in 1873, having spent many years of his life in
Reading, where he owned considerable property on Chestnut street,
between Front and Second streets, and where he was engaged in
boat-building. He married Susan Lerch, and to them were born these
children: Daniel; Sarah m. Joel Sharman; Sophia m. John Bechtel;
Germina died in 1908; Priscilla m. Benneville Pike; Septimus is a
resident of Gibraltar; and Rebecca m. Charles Armpriester.

Daniel Ringler was born Feb. 4, 1817, in
Reading, Pa., and learned the boat-building business from his
father, an occupation which he followed all his life. He enlisted
Oct. 14, 1863, in Company G, 93d Pa. V. I., and was mustered out of
service June 18, 1864, at Philadelphia on account of disability.
His second enlistment occurred July 10, 1864, in Company A, 195th
Pa. V. I., and he received his honorable discharge at Harrisburg,
Nov. 4th of that same year. Mr. Ringler contracted rheumatism while
in the service and for fourteen years was incapacitated by that
disease. He married Mary Seiders, daughter of Lewis Seiders, and to
them were born children as follows: Emma m. William Burns; Jacob m.
Catharine Fisher, and served in the Civil war, where he was shot
and killed by a member of his own company; Lewis; Septimus m.
Amanda Hinsted; Solomon m. Cassie Pfaff; Catharine m. (first)
Charles Good and (second) Charles Seiders; Sophia m. Henry Leader.

Lewis Ringler’s school days were spent in his
native city, and in 1863 he commenced to learn the boat-building
business with his father, following that occupation until 1888,
when he embarked in the butchering business in Millmont, at which
he continued with much success to the time of his death, Nov. 13,
1908. He attended the Bingaman street market, Reading, and in this
way assured his customers of having the best and freshest meats to
be obtained. In 1906 Mr. Ringler built his fine residence, and he
also owned several other properties in the town.

In 1863 Mr. Ringler married Angeline Lebo,
daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Huffert) Lebo, and she died Nov. 19,
1906, aged sixty-four years, nine months, and was buried in the
Gouglersville cemetery. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Ringler, namely: Henry m. Sallie Hiller, of Millmont, and has had
five children–Annie, Lewis, Ella (deceased), Bertha and Edna;
Elizabeth died in infancy; Sarah M. m. Frank P. Moyer, a
cigar-maker by trade, and has had two children–Mamie and Lillie
(died aged two years). Mr. Ringler was a Republican in political
matters. In religion he was a member of the Gouglersville Reformed
Church. He was the first to erect a house in Millmont, Cumru
township, and this settlement is now quite a thriving village,
commanding an excellent view of the Schuylkill river and the
mountains.

RINGLER,
LEWIS

p. 967

Surnames: RINGLER, WILSON, MOERS, KELLEY, BAKER, GOLD, BRANDSHETT, HAMPDEN, SEIDERS, ENGLE

John W. Ringler, of Reading, has carried on his confectionery and tobacco store at No. 205 Bingaman street since 1874. He has passed most of his life in that city, where he was born Dec. 30, 1844, son of Israel W. Ringler, and grandson of Reuben Ringler. The family has long been located in Berks county.

   
Reuben Ringler was a tailor, but followed his trade only a short time, in 1833 going to work at Robesonia Furnace. He married Sarah Wilson, a native of Lancaster county, Pa., and to their union were born the following named children: Sarah, who married Joseph Brandshett; Anthony, who was a blacksmith in Scranton, Pa., where he died in about 1887; Israel W.; Isabel, who married James Gold, and went to live in Philadelphia, where she still has her home, at No. 3209 Dauphin street (she is the last survivor of this family); Jerome, a boatbuilder on the Schuylkill canal, an expert in his line, who died in March, 1863, during the smallpox epidemic, shortly before his son, Mark was killed at Chancellorsville; Harriet, wife of Robert Baker, and Sarah, deceased, who married Frank Kelley. The mother of this family was a member of the Methodist Church, but the father’s religious connection is not known. He was a Democrat in political opinion. He was a private soldier during the war of 1812, and drew a pension for the services he rendered. His death occurred in February, 1870, at the age of eighty-two years.

   
Israel W. Ringler attended school in Reading, and during his young manhood clerked in a general store there. Later he embarked in merchandising on his own account in that city, continuing in that line until 1865, when he sold out and engaged in the music business at the location now occupied by Potteiger’s drug store, at Fourth and Spruce streets. He had purchased that property in 1848, and lived there over sixty years. In 1842 Israel W. Ringler married Mary A. Moers, who was born in 1822 and now lives at No. 347 Spruce street. Her grandfather, John F. Moers, established himself in the marble and tombstone business at No. 314 Penn street in 1793. To Mr. and Mrs. Ringler were born children as follows: John W., who is mentioned further on; Franklin, who died in 1851, when three years old; Heber, who died in 1866; Charles A., an employee of the Reading Iron Company; Robert B., born Sept. 16, 1862, now a jeweler of Reading; and Mary E., who married John Hampden, a manufacturer of artificial teeth. This family were Methodists in religious belief. The father passed away June 22, 1892.

    John W. Ringler was reared and educated in his
native city, attending the old Chestnut street school until he
reached the age of sixteen. At that time he entered his father’s
general store, where he remained until his enlistment, Feb. 1,
1864, in Durrell’s Independent Battery D, Pennsylvania Light
Artillery. He served until June 13, 1865, when the battery was
discharged following Lee’s surrender. Mr. Ringler saw considerable
active service, taking part in Grant’s campaign from the Wilderness
to Appomattox. His military service completed, he returned to
Reading, and within a short time became engaged in boating on the
canal. In 1870 he went to Norfolk, Va., coming back to
Reading in 1873, and carrying on the manufacture of brick until
1874, when he sold out that business and purchased the property at
No. 205 Bingaman street, where he has since been located. He has a
thriving confectionery and tobacco stand, which he has carried on
since 1874, and is well-known in the neighborhood as an honest,
industrious business man. Mr. Ringler has prospered, and owns a
piece of residence property in Oakbrook (in Cumru township) and
also one in Millmont. His wife owns the home and store property at
No. 205 Bingaman street, as well as another piece in the First
Ward, at No. 474 South Third street. Mr. Ringler has been quite
active in local public affairs, and from 1884 to 1889 served as
alderman of his ward, the First, having been elected as the
candidate of the Republican party, of which he is an enthusiastic
adherent. He is also prominent in Grand Army circles, being a
member and past commander of Keim Post, No. 76, G. A. R. Department
of Pennsylvania.

On Sept. 21, 1869, Mr. Ringler was married to
Catherine E. Seiders, daughter of Benjamin and Esther (Engle)
Seiders. To this union came one child, born May 10, 1876 (the
opening day of the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia), who died
in infancy.

RISHEL
FAMILY

p. 1685

Surnames: RISHEL, STOUDT, WENRICH, HECKLER, CHRIST, YODER, MILLER,
BRUNNER, WINTERS, GRING, RAHN

Rishel. William Rishel, who passed all of his life in Jefferson
township, Berks county, was born there in 1823. He died in 1908 at
the home of his daughter, Mrs. George Stoudt. Until his retirement
in 1899 he conducted a fifty-acre farm. He was a Democrat in
politics, and served the township

for a number of years as school director and
supervisor. He was a member of St. Thomas Reformed church, which he
had served in an official capacity. Mr. Rishel married Maria
Wenrich, daughter of Hon. Paul Wenrich, of Jefferson township, and
five children were born to them: Rebecca m. William F. Heckler;
William P.; Sarah M., unmarried, lived in Philadelphia; James I.;
and Clara E. m. George Stoudt, of Shartlesville, Berks county.

William P. Rishel, J. P. of Centre township, was
born in Jefferson township, on the old homestead, Jan 6, 1851. He
attended the township schools, Bernville Academy, the Keystone
State Normal School (at Kutztown) and Palatinate College at
Myerstown, receiving a thorough education, which well fitted him
for the teacher’s profession. He was engaged in teaching in all
thirty-five terms, in Jefferson township, Centre township (for
twenty years) and Centreport, at which place he taught the borough
school for six terms. This was his last school, and he retired in
1906 with a record of successful work of which he may well feel
proud. Mr. Rishel owns fifteen acres of land near Centreport, and
there he resides. He is a well-known man in his district, and still
retains the interest in educational affairs which such a veteran
teacher would naturally feel. He served many years as auditor of
his township, and in 1886 was elected justice of the peace of
Centre township, in which capacity he is still serving. He is a
Democrat.

Mr. Rishel married Sarah Y. Christ, daughter of
Daniel and Sarah (Yoder) Christ, and to them have been born two
children: Sallie V. m. C. K. Miller, of Centreport; Delilah F. m.
Melvin N. Miller, of Centre township.

Mr. Rishel is a member of St. Michael’s Reformed
Church. He belongs to Leesport Castle, K. G. E., and to the P. O.
S. of A., which latter he has served many years as financial
secretary.

James I. Rishel, a confectioner of West Reading
borough, was born in Jefferson township, where he received his
early education in the township schools. Later he attended the
Bernville high school and the Keystone State Normal School, after
which he was licensed to reach by the late Prof. D. B. Brunner, and
he engaged in teaching for four successive years. He first taught
in Centre township, at the Kauffman school-house, and for the
following three terms was engaged in his native district. When
twenty-six years old he moved to Reading, where he engaged in the
shoe business, which he continued for fifteen years, doing custom
work, of which he made a specialty, having a large trade. His store
was at No. 514 South Sixth street. He sold out his business on
account of failing health, and then became an insurance solicitor
for the Prudential Insurance Company, following it for some four
years. Since 1903 he has been associated with the Grand Union Tea
Company as salesman.

Since 1888 Mr. Rishel has made his home in
Spring township, in that year having erected his comfortable
residence at Nos. 518-520 Penn avenue. He has been actively
identified with all the progressive movements of his town and when
the question of incorporating the borough of West Reading was being
agitated he was one of its heartiest advocates. Upon the
organization he was chosen school director by a flattering support
and his interest in this branch of the public administration has
made his services valuable. He served Spring township for three
years as school director when it had twenty-seven schools, and
during his term the Spring township high school was established and
the eight-room building erected; his name appears upon the large
marble slab set into the front wall of the fine building, among
those of the other directors serving at the time. He was secretary
of the board for two years. In politics Mr. Rishel is a stanch
Democrat, and he takes an interest in promoting the success of his
party. Socially he is connected with Fraternity Castle, No. 302, K.
G. E. (of which he is a past master), of Reading, and Lodge No.
660, I. O. O. F., of Sinking Spring.

Mr. Rishel married Miss Amelia Winters, daughter
of Joel and Elizabeth (Gring) Winters and granddaughter of Jacob
and Sarah (Rahn) Winters. Four children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Rishel, three sons and one daughter, namely: William W., J.
George, Elmer J. and Elsie M.